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Ellen Meyer

8 posts
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  • 5 min

Wealth of Experience: Kempinski’s Chief Brand Officer on Cruising Into the Luxury Hotel World

🏨 Barbara Biffi, recently appointed as chief brand officer, is set to transform Kempinski Hotels' global brand strategy. With a rich background in luxury cruise branding, including roles at Silversea Cruises, she aims to apply her expertise in digital and brand experience to the 150-year-old hotel group. Biffi's career began in 1999 at Ogilvy, and she has held various strategic roles, leveraging her degree in statistics and economics from Milan's Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore.
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  • 5 min

How Curiosity Led to the C-Suite: Choice Hotels International’s Joshua Sloser on His Career Path

📈 Joshua Sloser, Choice Hotels International Chief Commercial Officer, transitioned from an airline reservation center to hospitality, driven by curiosity and a passion for travel. His career spans roles in data analytics, revenue management, and technology at CheapTickets and Travelocity, followed by nearly a decade at Hilton. He later led McDonald's digital transformation across 43,000 global restaurants. Now at Choice, he focuses on growing RevPAR and empowering franchisees. His career advice emphasizes curiosity, continuous learning, and adaptability.
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  • 3 min

Attention on Retention: Vision’s Gear Up Program ‘Graduate’ on the Benefits of Developing Employees Like Her 

📈 Amber Chastain joined Vision Hospitality Group as a breakfast attendant in November 2021. In less than five years, she became the general manager of Tru by Hilton Chattanooga Hamilton Place. Through Vision’s Gear Up program, Chastain completed a 6-week Level 1 training and a 6-9 month Level 2 training. By July of this year, she was permanently offered the GM position. Vision boasts eight general managers out of 38 who advanced through Gear Up.
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  • 3 min

Spire Hospitality’s Chris Russell on Catering to Sensory Differences Among Travelers and Employees

🏨 Chris Russell, CEO of Spire Hospitality, aims to make travel accessible for families with autism. Having a daughter with autism, Russell collaborates with Autism Double-Checked for hotel certification and employee training. As of now, four properties have been certified, including Cincinnati Marriott and Hotel Fera. Spire plans to certify all hotels by early 2026. The initiative includes empathy training and mock interviews for neurodiverse individuals, enhancing both guest experience and employee inclusion.
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  • 3 min

IHG’s Lauren Krostue Discusses Bringing Ruby Brand to the United States

🏨 Lauren Krostue, vice president of IHG Hotels & Resorts, discussed Ruby, a brand founded in Germany in 2013, at The Lodging Conference 2025. Ruby features 16 open hotels with 2,673 rooms and 19 in the pipeline with 3,984 rooms worldwide. Targeting individualists aged 25-60, Ruby emphasizes unique, urban micro accommodations with rooms from 150-225 square feet. IHG aims to open 120 hotels globally over the next decade and 250 in 20 years, focusing on U.S. and European expansion.
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  • 2 min

Enseo Executives on Partnering With Hoteliers to Maximize Their Return on Technological Investments

📶 Enseo CEO Brian Gurley and President David Goldstone, at The Lodging Conference 2025, discussed their whitepaper on luxury in-room technology for hospitality. Highlighting guest demand for home-like content consumption, Gurley emphasized transforming hotel TVs into “65-inch advertisements.” Goldstone described proactive support through dedicated personnel for effective technology use. Enseo aims to form partnerships with hotels, enhancing guest experiences while generating revenue through event enhancements and on-site promotions.
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  • 6 min

Brothers in Hospitality: Brad and Brent LeBlanc on Similar Values, Different Paths

📚 Brad LeBlanc, chief development officer at BWH Hotels, began his career in hospitality in 1988 after college, working initially at the Hotel Bentley in Alexandria. By 1995, he hired his younger brother, Brent, into the industry. Brent, EVP at Peachtree Group, learned the ropes knocking on hotel doors to promote Microtel Inn Suites. Despite an 8-year age gap, the brothers credit their father and industry mentors, like Mike Leven, for their success and commitment to hospitality.
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  • 6 min

Learning to Fly: Jason Reader on His Journey From Dishwasher to Davidson Hospitality COO

🚀 In 2025, Jason Reader was appointed COO of Davidson Hospitality Group. His journey began in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, with a career switch from aviation to hospitality. Reader's strategic proposal at Perkins increased sales by 80% in one year. He rose through the industry ranks, influenced by mentors like Tico Bevier and Jim Dina. Challenges at Davidson include maintaining company culture amid growth. Reader emphasizes seizing opportunities and learning from others, encapsulated by "fake it till you make it.
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